Ignition lock



Dec. 29, 1936. L. o. PARKER E1- AL 2,065,906

IGNITION LOCK Filed March l2, 1929 y E f ma'lajurofas BY v M f- M ATI'ORNEYL Patented Dec. 29, i936 PAPER??? @iiilQ IGNE'IHON LOCK Leslie O. Parker and John T. Fitzsimmons, An-

derson, Ind., assignors, by mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application March l2, 1929, Serial No. 346,402

5 Claims.

This invention pertains to anti-theft devices and particularly to key controlled means for rendering ignition apparatus inoperative and for securing elements of the ignition against disassembly or removal, and more particularly to key controlled apparatus which will prevent the proper functioning of the ignition timer and will prevent ready removal of the electrical connection thereto.

One object of the invention is to provide for coupling the armored conductor of an ignition lock with a piece of electrical apparatus, such as an ignition timer, in such a manner that the electrical connection cannot be interrupted without great diiculty and without consuming an amount of time that would arouse suspicion.

In this connection, it is one of the objects of the invention to provide electrical connections between the conductor and associated apparatus which is rendered particularly inaccessible by reason of the arrangement of the several elements of the structure, and in which said inaccessible 'connection renders the apparatus to which it is applied practically theft proof, and insures the apparatus against unauthorized use.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional View of a coupling unit embodying our invention as applied to an ignition timer, a partial plan View of which is shown. Fig. 2 is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a detail showing the association of the elements connecting a terminal stud with an ignition timer. Fig. 4 is a cross section of the coupling unit as viewed substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is va plan view of the special Wrench or tool used for assembling and servicing the structure involving our invention.

Heretofore, many of the ignition locks vof the prior art have failed in functioning to prohibit unauthorized use of apparatus to which they were applied in that they have presented some weakness of structure, or arrangement of parts, which could readily be overcome by the thief, the operativeness of the ignition elements reestablished and the vehicle stolen. Various remedies have been proposed for overcoming such deficiencies of structure, but so far none of them have attained the end to which anti-theft protection is universally assured. The instant application discloses a device which will effectually overcome these difficulties, in that connection is made between a key controlled circuit closer and a piece oi electrical apparatus, that will present such an amount of inconvenience to the thief, and render the connection so inaccessible, requiring such an extent of time for reestablishment of the proper functioning relation, that the thief will abandon his objective .almost upon the rst attempt.

Referring particularly to the drawing, We Ahave illustrated our invention as applied to the timer and circuit breaker mechanism of an ignition apparatus, but it is readily seen that the invention may involve any other unit oi the ignition mechanism, for instance the coil. In any event,

the particular apparatus is designed to have a novel electro-mechanical connection with an ignition circuit controlling and lock means, which connection can be severed only upon predetermined manipulation of various parts of the apparatus.

In Fig. l of the drawing, the unit of apparatus with which the invention has its association, is a timer housing 20 in which is mounted a plate 2l, provided with ears 22 threadably receiving screws 23 driven through the housing 2D, and providing means of supporting the plate 2| within the housing 26. Within the housing 2l), and upon the plate 2l, there is provided a contact breaker mounting bracket 2li, which is adjustably supported thereon by means of the headed screw 25 and an eccentric headed disc 28, received in slots 2l and 28, respectively, of the bracket 24, the screw 25 being threaded into the plate 2l and the disc 25 having a shank 2&0. pivotally attached to the plate 2l.

Through one end of the bracket 241 there passes a pivot pin 29 which pivotally supports the bracket 2f; upon the plate 2l, and insulatingly supports a circuit breaker lever St, by means oi a nonconducting sleeve 3l pivoted upon the studl 29. The circuit breaker lever Bil is provided at the free end with a contact 32 which cooperates with a contact 33 secured to an ear' St upon the end of the bracket 2d. The contacts 32 and 33 of the circuit breaker mechanism are urged into contacting relation by means of the contact spring 35 Xed to the lever 3@ and eX- tending around the sleeve 3l and connected with a terminal stud 5i) mounted in the wall or the housing 2@ as will later be described. Centrally of the housing 2i! and mounted upon the timer shaft 40, there is provided a cam 4| which cooperates with a rubbing block 42 of the breaker lever 3l) to open and close the contacts 32 and 33 in proper sequence, whenever the motor is operated.

Thus far it will be noted that the circuit breaker lever is insulatingly supported within the housing Ztl, and that provision is made for making electrical connection outside the housing by Way of the contact spring 35 hereinbefore referred to. This electrical connection outside the housing, comprises a terminal stud generally indicated at 55, which is provided with a reduced threaded vportion 5l received by the housing 2B, and terminating in special provisions for interlockingly and non-demountably making electrical and mechanical connection with the coupling unit of an ignition lock.

In assembling the stud 59 with the electrical apparatus referred to, advantage is taken of particular features for establishing a non-def mountable connection therewith, which involves a novel association of the elements of connection as' will now be described. Over the reduced end of the stud 5| there are passed successively, a lock washer 52, the terminal clip 53 of a condenser lead 55, where such is used, a hard metal washer 55, an insulating washer 5G, a hard metal cup 5l, an insulating sleeve 58 and a lock washer 5S. It will be noted from the illustration that the elements 52, 53 and 55 are of an internal bore just sufiicient, to be passed over the reduced portion 5| of the stud 5B, and that the sleeve 58 is closely received within the bore of the elements 5F, 51 and'59.

This assembly is then connected with the housing 20 by passing the end of the sleeve 58 through an aperture E!) of the housing wall until the threaded end of the stud 50 is passed through a strip cf insulation 6 l, disposed against the inner wall of the housing, an insulating plate 52, an oblong spacing washer 63, the

notchedend 64 of the contact spring 35, and nally threaded through the special nut 65. which during the usual method of assembly, does not turn relative to the circuit breaker Vplate 2| due to the nut 55 being coniined by the plate 2|.

k Tightening or loosening of the stud 59 relative to the nut 55 may be accomplished by following either one of two lines of procedure as Will presently appear. Y

It has been stated hereinbefore that the stud 55 is specially provided for making electrical and mechanical connection with certain mechanism outside of the apparatus. In addition to these special provisions, the end of the stud 5D is provided with a screw driven slot or kerf l5, which provides a means for turning the stud 5|) and establishing a clamping relation of the elementsv threaded thereon between the enlarged portion of the stud and the nut 65, thus assuring the retention of the partsin the assembled relation. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 3, that the nut 65 is of special formation, being somewhat dished in cross section and of elongated, rectangular contour, having one dimension considerably greater than the one perpendicular thereto. When in assembled relation with respect to the mounting plate 2| and the stud 50, one of the longer at sides ofthe nut 65 is in close proximity to the plate 2|, and separated therefrom only by the bent over portion 62a, of the insulation 52.

In this assembled relation, it will be impossible to turn the nut 65 upon the stud 5D, for the corners thereof Will not be allowed to pass between the stud 5D and the plate 2|. The plate 2| is securely fixed within the housing 20 by the screws 23 driven therethrough and into the lugs 22 of the plate 2| prohibiting movement of the plate relative to the nut and stud. Thus it is seen that the only manner of disconnecting the stud 58, from the electrical apparatus Within the housing 20, is either by turning of the screw 59 through the agency of ja screw driver or the like and the screw slot 10, or else by disorganizing the structure within the housing 20 so as to allow turning of the nut 65 relative to the threaded portion 5| of the stud 5i).

Both of these procedures are rendered extremely dicult as will presently appear from the description that is to follow. Access to the slot 10 of the stud 5U is precluded by mechanism which includes the special provisions of the stud 50 hereinbefore referred to. The connection of the parts within the housing 20 is rather inaccessible for disassociation.

Y The special provisions of the stud`5 include the conical like head '1| joined to the main body of the stud 50 by the neck 'l2 thereby providing a shoulder' portion 'M whichcooperates to form an interlocking connection with a spring metal washer l5, retained withinthe cou,- pling unit of the lock controlled device. Over the stud 55, and within the cup` 5l is forced a non-conducting washer i6 as a shield member disposed against the washer 52. It` will be noted from this structure accompanied by the illustration in Fig. 1, that the stud 59 is completely housed within the armor cup 5l, and that the head thereof is presented for a one way slip connection with a coupling unit attached thereto.

A key operated unit for controlling the circuit of the timer is electrically connected with the terminal stud 5|), through the agency of a connector and coupling unit now to be described. IThe controller unit is not shown but will be understood to include an electric switch enclosed in a housing adapted to be attached to the instrument board of the vehicle. This switch housing is mechanically connected With a ilexible, armored housing enclosing an insulated Wire |20 leading from the switch. This armored housing is provided by the spring wire conduit 2| surrounding an armored conduit |22, which in turn surrounds the insulated wire |20 and a cable stress wire |23. Theends of the wire |23 extend beyond the ends of thearmored housing and are bent over the ends of` the spring wire conduit |2|, one end being indicated at |25. It is obvious that this structure prevents any stretching of the armor between the control unit and the coupling unit, which might result in disruption of the structure at large; Y

The coupling unit having connection with this device, comprises a ferrule |30 which is telescopically received by the cupv 51, and which sup- Y ports an insulating sleeve |3|. has a central bore |32 of step formation to receiver the various elements contributing to the mechanical and electrical connection hereinbefore referred to. One end of the ferrule |30 is placed over the end of the armored housing rst described and is staked down to firmly engage thek armor |2|, as at |33. The electrical conductor |20 is passed through the smallest portion of the bore |32 where it is threaded through a washer |35 disposed in the intermediate portion of the bore l32.

The wire of the conductor is secured to the washer |34 to provide the contact point at |35. The Washer |36 being of larger diameter than the smallest portion of the bore |32 and being located in the main or intermediate portion thereof prevents withdrawal of the conductor i from the sleeve |3I.

Within the intermediate portion of the bore 532 of the sleeve |3|, there is placed a flexible wire |36 having its ends fastened to end loops of a Contact spring lia. Spring Ita resiliently urges the ends of wire |36 against the head member 'H of the stud 56 and against the contact |35 of wire |20, and thus insures good electrical connection between the stud 56 and the conductor |20. As earlier described, the largest portion of the stepped bore of the sleeve |3|, receives: the spring washer 15 and maintains the same in insulated relation with respect to the ferrule |36. This insulated relation is accomplished by placing a hard metal washer i3? within the bore and disposing it against the spring Washer l5. This washer |31 reinforces the spring washer 'iii and insures against undesirable deformation thereof when attempting to remove the unit from. the stud.

Against this washer 'i5 an insulatingr washer |38 is placed, said washer |38 being retained within the ferrule |39 by a Spanner nut |39, threaded within the ierrule |30.

From the structure herein described, it is apparent that a device has been provided which is eicient in its operation, which successfully prevents access being had to the connections of the electrical circuit of the mechanism, and which precludes easy removal of the essential parts thereof. A theft proof device has been provided in which the electrical apparatus is protected in such a way that the circuit therethrough may be opened or closed at will through the agency of a key controlled device, and in which unauthorized use of the mechanism to which the device is attached will be prohibited.

This conclusion follows from the fact that a non-demountable coupling has been made between a lock control unit and a piece of electrical apparatus, and that electrical connections are made within the piece of electrical apparatus which cannot be dissociated without either having access to: one of the parts of the coupling when the coupling unit is removed, or else by disturbing certain elements of the electrical apparatus to which the coupling is attached.

Due to the non-demountable connection of the coupling unit and the stud 5B, means cannot be readily inserted to turn the stud 5G for separating it from the nut |55. The coupling unit cannot be withdrawn from the stud 56 because of the interlocking relation between the spring washer and the shoulder '|15 of the stud 5|). In the initial assembled position, it is simple enough to present the coupling unit within the shell 57 so that the head 'H of the stud can be forced through the aperture of the spring Washer between the inwardly directed tangs 'ia thereof, which then spring into the annular groove 13, but it is an entirely different story when an attempt is made to withdraw the coupling unit from its connection with the stud 5S. When such an attempt is made, it only tends to crunch the ends of the tangs 'i511l and Thus having rendered the connection of the terminal stud S within the `apparatus of the housing inaccessible from the exterior of the casing, there remains but one other Way to disconnect the parts and that is by manipulation of the elements of the connection within the housing 2li. It is obvious that this manipulation must result in the relative rotation of the nut 65 and the threaded end of the stud 5). This, however, cannot be readily accomplished since the mounting plate 2| is rigidly secured to the housing 28 in such close proximity to the nut 65 as to preclude turning of the nut i5 relative to the stud 50.

Due to the structure and the arrangement or the parts of the electrical apparatus Within the housing 2B, once the stud il and the apparatus have been connected there `is but one manner in which they can be disconnected. To disconnect these parts it is necessary tor remove the screws 23 which connect the mounting plate 2| to the housing 2Q, so that the plate 2| will be capable of lateral movement or tilting Within the housing 2|?. The mounting plate 2| must then be pushed downwardly at a point near the connection of the terminal stud ii and spring connector 35, and at the same time the circuitbreaker lever E@ must be partially raised from the bracket 24 by sliding along the pivot pin 39 of the bracket 2Q. When the removal of spring from the stud 50 has been accomplished, the breaker lever Bt and the leaf spring 35 may then be remo-ved from the housing entirely withdrawing it from the pivot pin 29 which will give better access for the removal of the nut 65 from the stud 5i).

These parts must be held in such a relation while a special wrench is inserted and applied to the nut 55 to allow turning thereof. This becomes a very difficult operation since there is such a limited space within which a finger or instrument may be inserted to press down and hold the plate 2|. This leaves but little remaining space for manipulation of the circuit breaker lever 30 to be held in partially separated relation with the bracket 212, and for inserting and manipulating even a special Wrench, such as that shown in Fig. 10, that may function to turn the nut 55.

When the elements of the apparatus have been thus associated the disconnection of the parts v is by no means complete. Hardly has more than a start o-n the separation been made. The mounting plate 2| and the breaker lever t must be held in the disassociated position while a wrench or Wrenches are being applied to the nut 65 in order to turn the corners thereof past the near point of the plate 2i. Due to the difference in diameter, or cross dimensions of the nut 85, either a do-uble ended wrench must be used or else two Wrenches must be used. If separate wrenches are used one is rst applied to the nut across one dimension, and then eX-v changed for the other wrench which may be applied to the nut across the other dimension. In the case of the double ended Wrench, first one end must be applied to the nut, giving it a partial turn, then the wrench must be reversed and the opposite end applied to the nut in order to continue turning the same.

This procedure of holding down the plate 2i, and holding up the breaker lever 3e with one hand, while applying and changing the wrench or wrenches to and from the nut |55 with the other hand, until the nut 65 has been su'iciently unthreaded from the stud 5D, becomes very tedious and consumes co-nsiderable time. But this procedure must be followed until the connection is sufliciently loosened at least, to allow the removal of the slip connection o-f the leaf spring 35 from the stud 50, and from between the spacer 63 and the nut 65. Here the spring washers 52 and 59 perform a second function. In addition toflocking the parts against turning they magnify the amount of relative rotation that must be made between the stud and nut before the elements carried by the stud 59 are loosened sufficiently to permit removal of the slip connection 64 from the stud 58, thus increasing the difculty with which the parts are disassembled. It has' been stated that either of two procedures may be followed in tightening or loosening the connection of the stud 59 with the apparatus within thevhousing. One of these pro.- cedures is by way of turning the` stud 50, by means of the slotted head 1B, which has already been described. The other alternative has been described in part, in that it has been sho-wn how the plate 2| must be displaced Within the cup before the nut 65 may be turned upon the stud 5t, for separation of the parts. Similarly the connection may be initially made by the reverse thereof, or by threading the various elements onto the stud 5B, including the nut 55, before the plate 2| is fixed within the cup 2G. It will be found, however, that the earlier recited method is by far the simpler and requires less time to accomplish.

However, much time will have been consumed in the manipulation of the parts thus far described, and as soon as the clamping relation of the nut 55 and the stud 5|) has been suiciently loosened to permit removal of the leaf spring 35 from the connection, then further removal of the nut 65 from the stud 59 is equally as diflicult'k if not more so than in the initial instance. 'As

will be notedA from the illustration in Fig. l, the nut G5 is somewhat arc shaped in cross section, and is rather tightly threaded upon the stud 50. By this structure, turning of the nut 55 when the parts are in the loosened relation will tend also to turn the stud 50 Within the sleeve 55 and the remaining elements having engagement therewith. Thus, after the connection has been suiiiciently loosened and far before removal of the parts can be accomplished, or complete structed so as to preclude the thief from making off with the vehicle, or making it practically impossible for him to recondition the apparatus thereof for operation, means are providedr for readily servicingv thev associated elements of the structure when the occasion may arise. In Fig. 5 there is illustrated a double ended Wrench |50 of special design for manipulation of the parts in assembling kand disassembling the connection. One end of the wrench |55 is notched as at |5| for engaging the greater dimension of the nut 65, While the other end is notched as Vwith a new one.

at |52 for application to the smaller dimension of the nut. The wrench is further provided with a pair of lateral extensions providing lugs or pins |53 Which function as a Spanner wrench fo-r use on the nut |39.

With this special tool, the parts of the structure can be more readily serviced. But under the most favorable conditions considerable time is required for disconnecting the parts once they have been assembled. Wrench |50 makes it easier to disconnect the parts, the procedure is the same and extremely difficult. In application of the wrench |50 to the nut 65, it must be reversed betweenV each quarter turn of the nut, throughout the entire procedure.

In reassembling the connection, it is advisable to remove the spring lock Washer 'l5 from theV unit, acce-ss to which may be had through removal of the Spanner nut |39, and replaceit assembly of the parts in much less time, since the stud 5i), which has been freed from the old and deformed locking Washer l5, may be threaded successively with the parts of the assembly and driven into the nut 65 yas previously described. The coupling unit carrying the new locking Washer l5 is then forced in position over the stud 59, and the connection is complete.

It is therefore seen that the device that We have disclosed effectively prohibits the thief from reconditioning, or even so much as tampering with the ignition device, and thus insures against disturbance of the vehicle from the position in which it is left by the operator. `Further, those futile attempts that the thief may make for reconditioning the apparatus to its proper functioning relation do not materially affect the operativeness of the associated units, so that the owner may upon returning to his car, start and drive it away Without diihculty.

While the form of. embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is tol be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming Within the scope of the claims Which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

l. In a self-locking electrical connector; the combination comprising a housing, a ,terminal stud having a portion which extends Within said housing to make an electrical connection with an instrument therein, means within the hous- Whiley the specialA This procedure allows re-v ing and cooperating With said stud portion to Y secure said stud tol said housing by rotation of that portion of the stud exterior tothe housing, means including a part of the instrument within the housing for preventing rotation of first recited means, and means for enclosing the exterior portion of the stud and including a part non-detachably connectible therewith and rotatable about the stud without rotation of the stud relative to the first mentioned housing.

2. In a self-locking electrical connector, the combination comprisingra housing, a terminal stud having a portion which-extends within said housing to make an electrical connection with an instrument therein, means within'the housing and cooperating with said stud portion to secure said stud to said housing by rotation vof that portion of the stud exterior to the housing, means within the housing for preventing rotation of the means cooperating with the stud Without disrupting parts of the said instrument, and

means for enclosing the exterior portion of the Y stud and including a cup-shaped member secured by the stud to the housing, and including a member telescopically engageable With the cupshaped member and having a non-detachable connection with the stud yet capable of rotation about the stud without altering the relation of the stud and housing.

3. In a self-locking electrical connector, the combination comprising a housing, a 'terminal stud having a portion which extends Within said housing to make an electrical connection With an instrument therein, a nut Within the housing and cooperating with said stud portion to secure said stud to said housing by rotation of that portion of the stud exterior to the housing, means including a portion of the instrument Within the housing for preventing rota.- tion of the nut, and means for enclosing the exterior portion of the stud and rotatable about the same Without disturbing the relation hetween the stud and housing, and including a part non-detachahly connectible with the stud.

4. In a self-locking electrical connector, the combination comprising, a housing, a terminal stud insulatingly suported on said housing and having electrical connection with parts Within, a hard metal cup, a non-rotatable nut Within the housing, said stud having a reduced shank passing through said cup and the Wall of said housing and threadedly connected With the nonrotatable nut Within the housing, and means cooperating with the cup *for completely enclosing the head of the stud and including a part non-detachably connected to, and freely rotatable about the stud for increasing the resistance of separation of the connector.

5. In a self-locking electrical connector, the combination comprising a housing, a terminal stud insulatingly supported on said housing and having electrical connection with parts Within, said stud having a head providing a screw driver' slot, and a reduced shank joined thereto by a shoulder, an armored cup substantially enclosing said head and disposed about the shank of said stud and having means interlocking With said housing to prevent relative rotation thereof, means for securing the stud and the armored cup to said housing and requiring rotation of the stud by its slotted head, and means non-detachably engaging the head ci the stud and rotatable about the same, for completely enclosing the stud and preventing access to the slot of the head, whereby separation of the connector is prevented. v

LESLIE O. PARKER. JOHN T. FITZSIMMONS. 

